How to Get to Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area:
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is located west of Griffith Park in Los Angeles County and to the east of the Oxnard Plain in Ventura County. US 101 (Ventura Freeway) borders the mountains on the north, and CA 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) and the Pacific Ocean form the southern boundary.Park Size:
153,075 acresDescription:
This recreation area near Los Angeles offers rugged mountains, a coastline with sandy beaches and rocky shores, canyons covered with chaparral, and abundant wildlife. It includes more than 580 miles of public trails and encompasses four California state parks.Things to Do at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area:
A good place to begin your visit is at the National Park Service Visitor Center, which is located at 401 West Hillcrest Drive in Thousand Oaks, California. The area offers a wide range recreational opportunities, including camping, hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, swimming, surfing, boating, fishing, wildlife viewing, whale watching, and guided tours. The mountain bike trails traversing the Santa Monica Mountains pass through diverse terrain, ranging from ridgetops to canyon floors. Facilities for hikers include more than 580 miles of public trails within the park. These include the Backbone Trail that extends approximately 65 miles, linking major park areas. For those interested in wildlife viewing, the Santa Monica Mountains include more than 450 species of vertebrate and more than 380 species of birds.Operating Hours:
The National Park Service visitor center is open daily from 9am to 5pm, except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.History:
Established on November 10, 1978. The national recreation area is a cooperative effort that joins federal, state, and local park agencies with private preserves and landowners to protect the natural and cultural resources of this transverse mountain range and seashore.Contact Information:
Andersonville National Historic SiteSanta Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
401 West Hillcrest Drive
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
805-370-2301